High school juniors from Our Lady of Tepeyac High School in Little Village had the chance to shadow and learn from Feinberg scientists as part of an event hosted by the Simpson Querrey Institute for Epigenetics Inspire program on March 5.

“The Inspire program’s mission is to expose young students to the STEM fields, and I am grateful for the scientists and Cancer Center colleagues who spent time with the students. I think it is a very valuable introduction,” said Laura Shilatifard, who manages the Inspire program. “By meeting scientists and physicians in their work environment, hopefully will spark their curiosity and inspire them to consider studying math, science and technology as they begin to make independent decisions about their academic courses.”

More than 30 students from the all-girls school were matched with female scientists and gained hands-on skills conducting experiments in the lab, including labeling solutions and performing calculations. Twenty female Feinberg scientists and investigators participated in the event.

“I think what’s most exciting is learning new things,” said Mayte, a junior at Our Lady of Tepeyac who attended the event. “Some students might not be interested in STEM because they don’t really know much about it. But coming here and learning more, I think that’s really amazing.”

Set during the start of Women’s History Month, the event was also a chance for Feinberg women investigators to share their passion for science with young women.

“Events like these are important in order to inspire young scientists and inspire young women to work in scientific research,” said Alisha Maryam, PhD, a postdoctoral fellow in the laboratory of Shannon Lauberth, PhD, associate professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics.